Rebuilding a Secondary School: Perceptions and Experiences of Students Through the Change Process

• In Event: 52.083 - Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: 52.083-2 - Leadership for Educational Change

Abstract

School building quality correlates with student outcomes, but links are complex. There is no ideal environment or simple causal relationship between space and learning. Participatory design may address this through creating a tailored setting while enhancing school culture and inclusion. Yet the current UK approach to school building (Priority School Building Programme - PSBP) rejects user involvement and individualised design, preferring efficient provision of standard models.

This research explores experiences of students in a school rebuilt under PSBP: impacts of the new building and perspectives on the process. Questionnaires and focus groups were completed before and after the move into the new building. Comparisons are made with a school rebuilt under the previous programme that valued participatory design

Authors

• Pamela Woolner, Newcastle University

• Ulrike Thomas, Newcastle University